EP0400468B1 - Insert for a pipette - Google Patents

Insert for a pipette Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0400468B1
EP0400468B1 EP90109791A EP90109791A EP0400468B1 EP 0400468 B1 EP0400468 B1 EP 0400468B1 EP 90109791 A EP90109791 A EP 90109791A EP 90109791 A EP90109791 A EP 90109791A EP 0400468 B1 EP0400468 B1 EP 0400468B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipetting
wall
tip
insert
pipetting insert
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP90109791A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0400468A1 (en
Inventor
Andreas Greter
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F Hoffmann La Roche AG
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F Hoffmann La Roche AG
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Publication of EP0400468A1 publication Critical patent/EP0400468A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • B01L3/5082—Test tubes per se
    • B01L3/50825—Closing or opening means, corks, bungs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • G01N35/1079—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices with means for piercing stoppers or septums

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a pipetting insert for a pipetting device for taking a liquid sample from a vacuum tube, which is sealed airtight with a stopper, which pipetting insert consists of a plastic and has an elongated body which has a conical part at one end and a hollow part at the other end Tip and in between a central tubular part, the central part of the body along its longitudinal axis has a bore which connects the interior of the conical part with the interior of the hollow tip.
  • Vacuum tubes are the most used test tubes today.
  • a blood-tipped cannula is usually used to take a blood sample, one tip of which is inserted into a patient's vein, while the other tip is inserted into an evacuated vacuum tube through its stopper. When this connection is made, the differential pressure causes the blood sample to flow into the vacuum tube.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to create a pipetting insert which does not have these disadvantages.
  • a pipetting insert 11 serves as a link between a pipetting needle 19 of a pipetting device (not shown in FIG. 1) and a vacuum tube 13, which e.g. contains a blood sample and is sealed airtight with a stopper 14.
  • the blood test is e.g. a liquid part 12 and a solid part 28, which have been separated from one another by centrifugation.
  • the pipette insert 11 is first inserted through the stopper 14 by means of a suitable device, not shown in FIG. 1, until its tip is in the inner space of the vacuum tube 13. Thereafter, the pipetting needle 19 is inserted through a bore 21 of the pipetting insert 11 into the vacuum tube 13, the wall at the tip of the pipetting insert being pierced with the needle 19.
  • the pipetting insert 11 is produced by injection molding a suitable plastic. On the one hand, this plastic must be hard enough so that the pipette insert 11 remains intact when piercing the stopper 14, on the other hand it must be soft enough so that the tip 17 of the pipette insert can be easily pierced with an ordinary pipette needle 19.
  • a plastic which is suitable for the production of the pipetting insert 11 is, for example, polyethylene, in particular the so-called high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is also referred to as low-pressure polyethylene (NDPE) or hard polyethylene.
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • NDPE low-pressure polyethylene
  • FIGS. 2-4 A first embodiment of a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-4.
  • Figure 2 shows a bottom view of this embodiment.
  • Figure 3 shows a cross section of this embodiment through the line III-III in Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 shows a plan view of this embodiment.
  • the pipetting insert 11 has an elongated body which has a conical part 15 at one end and a hollow tip 17 at the other end.
  • the tip 17 is formed by a conical wall 18 which can be pierced with a pipetting needle.
  • the elongate body of the pipetting insert 11 has a central tubular part 16 which extends between the conical part 15 and the tip 17.
  • the middle part 16 of the pipetting insert 11 has a bore 21 which extends along the longitudinal axis ZZ and connects the interior 22 of the conical part 15 with the interior 23 of the hollow tip 17.
  • the middle part 16 of the pipetting insert has an outer wall 24 which contains at least one connecting channel 25 which extends essentially between the conical part 15 and the tip 17 and whose cross section is substantially smaller than the cross section of the bore 21.
  • the connecting channel 25 has an upper end 36 and a lower end 37.
  • the pipetting insert 11 preferably has at least two such connecting channels which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis ZZ of the pipetting insert.
  • the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4 has three such connecting channels 25, 26, 27, which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis ZZ of the pipetting insert.
  • each of these connecting channels is designed as a groove in the outer wall 24 and in the outer wall of the conical part 15. These grooves preferably run essentially parallel to the central part 16 of the pipetting insert Longitudinal axis ZZ of the pipetting insert.
  • the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 serve to establish a pressure balance between the interior of the closed vacuum tube 13 and the air outside the tube.
  • the cross section of the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 is chosen to be so small that during the pressure equalization process, the sample cannot escape from the vacuum tube through these connecting channels.
  • the thickness of the wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert is chosen to be so thin that it can easily be pierced with an ordinary pipetting needle. As shown in Fig. 13, the thickness of wall 18 is e.g. 0.15 mm.
  • FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of this second embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 shows a cross section of this embodiment through the line VI-VI in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 shows a plan view of this embodiment.
  • FIGS. 5-7 The second embodiment according to FIGS. 5-7 is largely identical to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4, so that the above description of FIGS. 2-4 also largely applies to FIGS. 5-7.
  • the outer wall 31 of the conical part 15 has at least two of the projections just described. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the outer wall 31 of the conical part 15 has three wing-shaped projections 32, 33, 34, which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis Z-Z of the pipetting insert.
  • the relative position of the projections 32-34 and the connecting channels 25-27 ensures that the intended pressure equalization process can take place through the connecting channels 25-27.
  • FIGS. 8-11 show, among other things, a pipetting insert according to FIGS. 5-7, but the description below also applies to the embodiment of the pipetting insert according to FIGS. 2-4.
  • a pipetting insert 11 is inserted through the stopper 14 of the vacuum tube 13 in a preparation step for the later sampling.
  • a pressure mandrel 41 is first inserted into the bore 21 of the pipetting insert 11 according to FIG.
  • the shape of the pressure mandrel 41 is preferably very precisely adapted to the inner wall of the upper, conical part of the pipetting insert 11, to the inner wall of the bore and to the hollow tip in the interior of the pipetting insert 11.
  • the pressure mandrel 41 is inserted into the pipetting insert until it assumes the position shown in FIG. 8.
  • the pipetting insert 11 is pressed by the pressure mandrel 41 in the direction indicated by an arrow against the central part of the stopper 14 until the pipetting insert 11 pierces the stopper 14 and assumes the position shown in FIG. 9.
  • the projection 32 (and this also applies to the projections 33, 34 not shown in FIG. 9) serves as a spacer, which ensures. that the at least one connecting channel 25 connects the interior of the vacuum tube 13 with the air outside the tube and thus enables pressure equalization.
  • the pipetting insert 11 After the introduction of the pipetting insert 11 into the stopper 14 in the form just described, the pipetting insert 11 remains in the stopper 14 in the position shown in FIG. It should be noted. that the conical wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert 11 is still intact after its insertion into the stopper 14 and prevents the sample from escaping from the vacuum tube 13 through the bore 21.
  • a pipetting needle 19 is inserted through the bore 21 of the pipetting insert 11 in the direction indicated by an arrow until it assumes the position shown in FIG. 11.
  • the wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert 11 is pierced by the needle 19.
  • the needle 19 is removed from the vacuum tube 13 or from the pipetting insert 11. The puncture leaves a very small slit in the wall 18, so that an undesired escape of sample fragments from the vacuum tube is very unlikely during normal treatment of the vacuum tube.
  • FIGS. 12 shows a cross section of a variant of the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4.
  • the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 extend to the uppermost edge of the conical part 15 of the pipetting insert.
  • FIG. 12 shows a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the pipetting insert.
  • FIG. 14 shows the cross section XIV-XIV of FIG. 13.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 also largely apply to the embodiments according to FIGS. 2-4 and 5-7.
  • the thickness of the wall 24 of the central part 16 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 0.3 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.
  • the thickness of the thinnest part of the wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.3 mm.
  • the average diameter of the bore 21 in the central part 16 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 1.5 mm and approximately 4.0 mm.
  • each of the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 along the outer wall 24 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.5 mm.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
  • Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
  • Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)
  • Investigating, Analyzing Materials By Fluorescence Or Luminescence (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Heat Treatment Of Articles (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)

Abstract

Pipetting insert (11) for a pipetting device for taking a liquid sample (12) from a vacuum tube (13) which is closed airtight by a stopper (14). <??>To preclude an undesired escape of sample fragments from the vacuum tube before sampling, the pipetting insert is characterised in that a) it consists of a plastic, b) it has an elongate body which has at one end a conical part (15), at the other end a hollow tip (17) which is formed by a wall (18) which can be pierced by a pipetting needle and, in between, a middle tubular part (16), c) the middle part (16) of the body has, along its longitudinal axis (Z-Z) a bore (21) which connects the interior (22) of the conical part (15) to the interior (23) of the hollow tip (17), and d) the outer wall (24) of the middle part (16) of the body contains at least one connecting channel (25) which extends between the conical part (15) and the tip (17) and whose cross-section is substantially smaller than the cross-section of the bore (21) of the middle part (16) of the body. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Pipettiereinsatz für eine Pipettiervorrichtung zur Entnahme einer flüssigen Probe aus einem Vakuumröhrchen, das mit einem Stöpsel luftdicht verschlossen ist, welcher Pipettiereinsatz aus einem Kunststoff besteht und einen länglichen Körper hat, der an einem Ende einen kegelförmigen Teil, am anderen Ende eine hohle Spitze und dazwischen einen mittleren, rohrförmigen Teil hat, wobei der mittlere Teil des Körpers entlang seiner Längsachse eine Bohrung hat, die den Innenraum des kegelförmigen Teils mit dem Innenraum der hohlen Spitze verbindet.The invention relates to a pipetting insert for a pipetting device for taking a liquid sample from a vacuum tube, which is sealed airtight with a stopper, which pipetting insert consists of a plastic and has an elongated body which has a conical part at one end and a hollow part at the other end Tip and in between a central tubular part, the central part of the body along its longitudinal axis has a bore which connects the interior of the conical part with the interior of the hollow tip.

Vakuumröhrchen ("vacutainers") sind heutzutage die meist verwendeten Proberöhrchen. Zur Entnahme einer Blutprobe wird üblicherweise eine beidseitig angespitzte Kanüle verwendet, deren eine Spitze in die Vene eines Patienten eingeführt wird, während die andere Spitze in ein evakuiertes Vakuumrörchen durch sein Stöpsel hineingesteckt wird. Wenn diese Verbindung hergestellt ist, bewirkt der Differenzdruck, dass die Blutprobe in das Vakuumrörchen fliesst.Vacuum tubes ("vacutainers") are the most used test tubes today. A blood-tipped cannula is usually used to take a blood sample, one tip of which is inserted into a patient's vein, while the other tip is inserted into an evacuated vacuum tube through its stopper. When this connection is made, the differential pressure causes the blood sample to flow into the vacuum tube.

Nach der Entnahme der Probe bleibt im Vakuumröhrchen in der Regel ein Unterdruck. Würde man im Labor den Stöpsel entfernen, um die Probe aus dem Vakuumröhrchen zu entnehmen, müsste man damit rechnen, dass durch den plötzlichen Druckausgleich ein Luftstrom in das Röhrchen eindringt, und dass dadurch Probenfragmente aus dem Röhrchen gespritzt werden. Damit wäre eine beachtliche Infektionsgefahr vorhanden, weil die in dem Vakuumröhrchen enthaltenen Proben (z.B. Blutproben) in der Regel als möglicherweise infektiös zu betrachten sind. Laborpersonal, das mit solchen Proben umgehen muss, würde die Gefahr eingehen, durch die Krankheit infiziert zu werden, die durch eine Probe übertragen werden kann. Es ist deshalb sehr wichtig, die Handhabung der Proben auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren und gefährliche Manipulationen zu eliminieren.After taking the sample, a vacuum usually remains in the vacuum tube. If you were to remove the stopper in the laboratory in order to take the sample from the vacuum tube, you would have to expect that the sudden pressure equalization would cause an air flow to penetrate the tube and that sample fragments would be sprayed out of the tube. This would present a considerable risk of infection because the samples (eg blood samples) contained in the vacuum tube are generally to be regarded as possibly infectious. Laboratory staff working with such samples would have to run the risk of being infected by the disease that can be transmitted by a sample. It is therefore very important to reduce the handling of the samples to a minimum and to eliminate dangerous manipulations.

Um dieses Problem zu lösen, ist bereits ein Pipettiereinsatz vorgeschlagen worden (PCT-Patentanmeldung mit Veröffentlichungsnummer WO 87/05208), der ein Pipettierkanal enthält, der an einem Ende eine Spitze hat, mit der der Stöpsel des Vakuumröhrchens durchgestochen wird, wenn der Pipettiereinsatz auf ein Vakuumröhrchen eingesetzt wird. Der Pipettierkanal hat zwei Funktionen. Einerseits ermöglicht er einen Druckausgleich, so dass nach dem Einsetzen des Pipettiereinsatzes der Druck im Röhrchen gleich der Luftdruck ist. Andererseits dient der Pipettierkanal als Führungsglied für das Saugrohr oder die Pipettiernadel einer Pipettiervorrichtung, mit der die Probe aus dem Röhrchen entnommen werden kann.

  • Beim Einsetzen des Pipettiereinsatzes durch den Stöpsel des Vakuumröhrchens findet plötzlicher Druckausgleich statt, so dass bei einer relativ grossen Druckdifferenz Probenfragmente aus dem Röhrchen gespritzt werden können, und die oben erwähnte Infektionsgefahr zur Folge haben können.
  • Sobald der Pipettiereinsatz durch den Stöpsel des Vakuumröhrchens eingesetzt ist, verbindet der Pipettierkanal der Innenraum des Röhrchens mit der Umgebung, d.h. das eine Probe enthaltende Röhrchen ist offen. Dadurch ist die Gefahr gegeben, dass bei der Handhabung des Röhrchens Probenfragmente das Röhrchen verlassen und eine Infektionsgefahr verursachen. Ausserdem kann ein Teil der Probe durch Verdunstung verloren gehen.
In order to solve this problem, a pipetting insert has already been proposed (PCT patent application with publication number WO 87/05208) which contains a pipetting channel which has a tip at one end with which the stopper of the vacuum tube is pierced when the pipetting insert is open a vacuum tube is used. The pipetting channel has two functions. On the one hand, it enables pressure equalization, so that after the pipetting insert is inserted, the pressure in the tube is equal to the air pressure. On the other hand, the pipetting channel serves as a guide element for the suction tube or the pipetting needle of a pipetting device with which the sample can be removed from the tube.
  • When the pipetting insert is inserted through the stopper of the vacuum tube, there is a sudden pressure equalization, so that with a relatively large pressure difference, sample fragments can be sprayed out of the tube and can result in the above-mentioned risk of infection.
  • As soon as the pipetting insert is inserted through the stopper of the vacuum tube, the pipetting channel connects the interior of the tube with the surroundings, ie the tube containing a sample is open. This creates the risk that sample fragments leave the tube when handling the tube and cause a risk of infection. Part of the sample can also be lost due to evaporation.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Pipettiereinsatz zu schaffen, der diese Nachteile nicht hat.The object of the invention is therefore to create a pipetting insert which does not have these disadvantages.

Erfindungsgemäss wird diese Aufgabe mit einem Pipettiereinsatz der eingangs genannten Art gelöst, welcher dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass

  • a) die hohle Spitze durch eine mit einer Pipettiernadel durchstechbare Wand gebildet ist, und
  • b) die Aussenwand des mittleren Teils des Körpers mindestens einen Verbindungskanal enthält, der sich zwischen dem kegelförmigen Teil und der Spitze erstreckt und dessen Querschnitt kleiner als der Querschnitt der Bohrung des mittleren Teils des Körpers ist.
According to the invention, this object is achieved with a pipetting insert of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in that
  • a) the hollow tip is formed by a wall which can be pierced with a pipetting needle, and
  • b) the outer wall of the central part of the body contains at least one connecting channel which extends between the conical part and the tip and whose cross section is smaller than the cross section of the bore of the central part of the body.

Der erfindungsgemässe Pipettiereinsatz bietet insbesondere folgende Vorteile:

  • Der relativ kleine Querschnitt des mindestens einen Verbindungskanal ermöglicht einen relativ langsamen Druckausgleich nach dem Einsetzen des Pipettiereinsatzes aus dem Vakuumröhrchen. Es ist dadurch ausgeschlossen, dass beim Druckausgleichvorgang Probenfragmente aus dem Röhrchen entweichen können.
  • Die durchstechbare Wand der Spitze des Pipettiereinsatzes wird erst zum Zeitpunkt durchgestochen, zu dem die Probe aus dem Röhrchen mit der Pipettiernadel einer Pipettiervorrichtung entnommen wird. Vorher bleibt das Röhrchen durch den Stöpsel und den darin eingesteckten Pipettiereinsatz verschlossen, wodurch ein Entweichen der Probe aus dem Röhrchen völlig verunmöglicht wird. Probenverluste durch Verdunstung oder durch die Handhabung des Röhrchens sind daher ausgeschlossen.
  • Zur Entnahme der Probe aus dem Röhrchen wird nach dem Einsetzen des Pipettiereinsatzes und nach dem Druckausgleichvorgang eine Pipettiernadel durch die Bohrung im mittleren Teil des Pipettiereinsatzes eingeführt und mit dieser Nadel wird die Wand an der Spitze des Pipettiereinsatzes durchgestochen. Auf diese Weise besteht keine Möglichkeit, dass ein Probenfragment in die Bohrung gelangen kann und dort auf die Aussenwand der Pipettiernadel haften kann. Die Gefahr einer unerwünschten Schleppung von Probenfragmenten auf der Aussenwand der Nadel (sogenannter "carry over") ist somit ausgeschlossen.
  • Durch die soeben erwähnten Vorteile wird einen höchstmöglichen Schutz gegen die Infektionsgefahr für das Laborpersonal erzielt. Der erfindungsgemässe Pipettiereinsatz ist ausserdem dafür geeignet, als billiger Wegwerfteil hergestellt zu werden.
The pipetting insert according to the invention offers the following advantages in particular:
  • The relatively small cross section of the at least one connecting channel enables a relatively slow pressure equalization after the pipetting insert has been inserted from the vacuum tube. This prevents sample fragments from escaping from the tube during the pressure equalization process.
  • The pierceable wall of the tip of the pipetting insert is only pierced at the time when the sample is taken from the tube with the pipetting needle of a pipetting device. Before this, the tube remains closed by the stopper and the pipetting insert inserted therein, which completely prevents the sample from escaping from the tube. Loss of samples due to evaporation or handling of the tube are therefore excluded.
  • To remove the sample from the tube, after inserting the pipetting insert and after the pressure equalization process, a pipetting needle is inserted through the hole in the middle part of the pipetting insert and this needle is used to pierce the wall at the tip of the pipetting insert. In this way, there is no possibility that a sample fragment can get into the bore and adhere there to the outer wall of the pipetting needle. The risk of undesired dragging of sample fragments on the outer wall of the needle (so-called "carry over") is thus excluded.
  • The advantages just mentioned achieve the highest possible protection against the risk of infection for the laboratory personnel. The The pipetting insert according to the invention is also suitable for being produced as a cheap disposable part.

Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung werden im folgenden anhand der beiliegenden Zeichnungen beschrieben. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
ein Vakuumröhrchen 13, einen erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatz 11 und eine Pipettiernadel 19,
Fig. 2
eine Druntersicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatzes 11,
Fig. 3
einen Querschnitt der Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 2 durch die Linie III-III,
Fig. 4
eine Draufsicht der Ausführungsform gemäss der Figuren 2 und 3,
Fig. 5
eine Druntersicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatzes 11,
Fig. 6
einen Querschnitt der Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 5 durch die Linie VI-VI,
Fig. 7
eine Draufsicht der Ausführungsform gemäss der Figuren 5 und 6,
Fig. 8
einen schematischen Querschnitt des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 gemäss Figuren 5-7 mit einem darin eingeführten Druckdorn 41,
Fig. 9
einen schematischen Querschnitt der Einführung der Ausführungsform des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 gemäss Figuren 5-7 durch den Stöpsel 14 eines Vakuumröhrchens 13 mittels des Druckdorns 41,
Fig. 10
einen schematischen Querschnitt des gemäss Fig. 9 eingesetzten Pipettiereinsatzes 11 nach der Entfernung des Druckdorns 41, und
Fig. 11
einen schematischen Querschnitt des gemäss Fig. 9 eingesetzten Pipettiereinsatzes 11, dessen Spitze 17 mit einer Pipettiernadel 19 zur Entnahme einer Probe durchgestochen wird.
Fig. 12
einen Querschnitt einer Variante der Ausführungsform gemäss Figuren 2-4.
Fig. 13
einen Querschnitt der Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 12, in welchem Querschnitt die Abmessungen in Millimeter angegeben sind.
Fig. 14
den Querschnitt XIV-XIV der Fig. 13, in welchem Querschnitt die Abmessungen in Millimeter angegeben sind.
Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:
Fig. 1
a vacuum tube 13, a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention and a pipetting needle 19,
Fig. 2
a bottom view of a first embodiment of a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention,
Fig. 3
3 shows a cross section of the embodiment according to FIG. 2 through the line III-III,
Fig. 4
3 shows a top view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3,
Fig. 5
a bottom view of a second embodiment of a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention,
Fig. 6
5 through the line VI-VI,
Fig. 7
3 shows a top view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6,
Fig. 8
5 shows a schematic cross section of the pipetting insert 11 according to FIGS. 5-7 with a pressure mandrel 41 inserted therein,
Fig. 9
5 shows a schematic cross section of the introduction of the embodiment of the pipetting insert 11 according to FIGS. 5-7 through the stopper 14 of a vacuum tube 13 by means of the pressure mandrel 41,
Fig. 10
9 shows a schematic cross section of the pipetting insert 11 used according to FIG. 9 after the removal of the pressure mandrel 41, and
Fig. 11
9 shows a schematic cross section of the pipetting insert 11 used according to FIG. 9, the tip 17 of which is pierced with a pipetting needle 19 for taking a sample.
Fig. 12
a cross section of a variant of the embodiment according to Figures 2-4.
Fig. 13
a cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 12, in which cross section the dimensions are given in millimeters.
Fig. 14
the cross section XIV-XIV of Fig. 13, in which cross section the dimensions are given in millimeters.

Wie anhand der Figur 1 gezeigt, dient ein erfindungsgemässer Pipettiereinsatz 11 als Bindeglied zwischen einer Pipettiernadel 19 einer in Figur 1 nicht gezeigten Pipettiervorrichtung und einem Vakuumröhrchen 13, das z.B. eine Blutprobe enthält und mit einem Stöpsel 14 luftdicht verschlossen ist. Die Blutprobe besteht z.B. aus einem flüssigen Teil 12 und einem festen Teil 28, die voneinander durch Zentrifugierung getrennt worden sind. Zur Entnahme einer bestimmten Menge der flüssigen Probe 12 wird zuerst der Pipettiereinsatz 11 mittels einer geeigneten, in Figur 1 nicht gezeigten Vorrichtung durch den Stöpsel 14 eingeführt, bis seine Spitze sich im inneren Raum des Vakuumröhrchens 13 befindet. Danach wird die Pipettiernadel 19 durch eine Bohrung 21 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 in das Vakuumröhrchen 13 eingeführt, wobei die Wand an der Spitze des Pipettiereinsatzes mit der Nadel 19 durchgestochen wird.As shown in FIG. 1, a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention serves as a link between a pipetting needle 19 of a pipetting device (not shown in FIG. 1) and a vacuum tube 13, which e.g. contains a blood sample and is sealed airtight with a stopper 14. The blood test is e.g. a liquid part 12 and a solid part 28, which have been separated from one another by centrifugation. To take a certain amount of the liquid sample 12, the pipette insert 11 is first inserted through the stopper 14 by means of a suitable device, not shown in FIG. 1, until its tip is in the inner space of the vacuum tube 13. Thereafter, the pipetting needle 19 is inserted through a bore 21 of the pipetting insert 11 into the vacuum tube 13, the wall at the tip of the pipetting insert being pierced with the needle 19.

Der Pipettiereinsatz 11 wird durch Spritzgiessen eines geeigneten Kunststoffs hergestellt. Dieser Kunststoff muss einerseits hart genug sein, damit der Pipettiereinsatz 11 beim Durchstechen des Stöpsels 14 intakt bleibt, er muss andererseits weich genug sein, damit die Spitze 17 des Pipettiereinsatzes mit einer gewöhnlichen Pipettiernadel 19 leicht durchstochen werden kann. Ein für die Herstellung des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 geeigneter Kunststoff ist z.B. Polyethylen, insbesondere das sogenannte High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), das auch mit Niederdruck Polyethylen (NDPE) oder Hartpolyethylen bezeichnet wird.The pipetting insert 11 is produced by injection molding a suitable plastic. On the one hand, this plastic must be hard enough so that the pipette insert 11 remains intact when piercing the stopper 14, on the other hand it must be soft enough so that the tip 17 of the pipette insert can be easily pierced with an ordinary pipette needle 19. A plastic which is suitable for the production of the pipetting insert 11 is, for example, polyethylene, in particular the so-called high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is also referred to as low-pressure polyethylene (NDPE) or hard polyethylene.

Eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatzes 11 wird nun anhand der Figuren 2-4 beschrieben. Die Figur 2 zeigt eine Druntersicht dieser Ausführungsform. Die Figur 3 zeigt einen Querschnitt dieser Ausführungsform durch die Linie III-III in Figur 2. Die Figur 4 zeigt eine Draufsicht dieser Ausführungsform.A first embodiment of a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-4. Figure 2 shows a bottom view of this embodiment. Figure 3 shows a cross section of this embodiment through the line III-III in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a plan view of this embodiment.

Wie aus Figur 3 ersichtlich, hat der Pipettiereinsatz 11 einen länglichen Körper, der an einem Ende einen kegelförmigen Teil 15 und am anderen Ende eine hohle Spitze 17 hat. Die Spitze 17 ist durch eine kegelförmige Wand 18 gebildet, die mit einer Pipettiernadel durchstechbar ist. Der längliche Körper des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 hat einen mittleren, rohrförmigen Teil 16, der sich zwischen dem kegelförmigen Teil 15 und der Spitze 17 erstreckt.As can be seen from FIG. 3, the pipetting insert 11 has an elongated body which has a conical part 15 at one end and a hollow tip 17 at the other end. The tip 17 is formed by a conical wall 18 which can be pierced with a pipetting needle. The elongate body of the pipetting insert 11 has a central tubular part 16 which extends between the conical part 15 and the tip 17.

Der mittlere Teil 16 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 hat eine Bohrung 21, die sich entlang der Längsachse Z-Z erstreckt und den Innenraum 22 des kegelförmigen Teils 15 mit dem Innenraum 23 der hohlen Spitze 17 verbindet. Der mittlere Teil 16 des Pipettiereinsatzes hat eine Aussenwand 24, die mindestens einen Verbindungskanal 25 enthält, der sich im wesentlichen zwischen dem kegelförmigen Teil 15 und der Spitze 17 erstreckt und dessen Querschnitt wesentlich kleiner als der Querschnitt der Bohrung 21 ist. Der Verbindungskanal 25 hat ein oberes Ende 36 und ein unteres Ende 37. Der Pipettiereinsatz 11 hat vorzugsweise mindestens zwei solche Verbindungskanäle, die um die Längsachse Z-Z des Pipettier- einsatzes symmetrisch angeordnet sind. Die Ausführungsform gemäss Figuren 2-4 hat drei solche Verbindungskanäle 25,26,27, die um die Längsachse Z-Z des Pipettiereinsatzes symmetrisch angeordnet sind. Wie aus Figuren 2 und 3 ersichtlich ist jeder dieser Verbindungskanäle als eine Rille in der Aussenwand 24 und in der Aussenwand des kegel- förmigen Teils 15 ausgebildet. Ueber den mittleren Teil 16 des Pipettiereinsatzes verlaufen diese Rillen vorzugsweise im wesentlichen parallel zur Längsachse Z-Z des Pipettier einsatzes.The middle part 16 of the pipetting insert 11 has a bore 21 which extends along the longitudinal axis ZZ and connects the interior 22 of the conical part 15 with the interior 23 of the hollow tip 17. The middle part 16 of the pipetting insert has an outer wall 24 which contains at least one connecting channel 25 which extends essentially between the conical part 15 and the tip 17 and whose cross section is substantially smaller than the cross section of the bore 21. The connecting channel 25 has an upper end 36 and a lower end 37. The pipetting insert 11 preferably has at least two such connecting channels which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis ZZ of the pipetting insert. The embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4 has three such connecting channels 25, 26, 27, which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis ZZ of the pipetting insert. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, each of these connecting channels is designed as a groove in the outer wall 24 and in the outer wall of the conical part 15. These grooves preferably run essentially parallel to the central part 16 of the pipetting insert Longitudinal axis ZZ of the pipetting insert.

Wie nachstehend im Detail beschrieben wird, dienen die Verbindungskanäle 25,26,27 zur Herstellung eines Druckausgleichs zwischen dem Innenraum des verschlossenen Vakuumröhrchens 13 und der Luft ausserhalb des Röhrchens. Der Querschnitt der Verbindungskanäle 25,26,27 wird so klein gewählt, dass beim Druckausgleichvorgang ein Entweichen der Probe aus dem Vakuumröhrchen durch diese Verbindungskanäle ausgeschlossen ist.As will be described in detail below, the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 serve to establish a pressure balance between the interior of the closed vacuum tube 13 and the air outside the tube. The cross section of the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 is chosen to be so small that during the pressure equalization process, the sample cannot escape from the vacuum tube through these connecting channels.

Die Dicke der Wand 18 der Spitze 17 des Pipettiereinsatzes wird so dünn gewählt, dass sie mit einer gewöhnlichen Pipettiernadel leicht durchstechbar ist. Wie in Fig. 13 gezeigt, ist die Dicke der Wand 18 z.B. 0,15 mm.The thickness of the wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert is chosen to be so thin that it can easily be pierced with an ordinary pipetting needle. As shown in Fig. 13, the thickness of wall 18 is e.g. 0.15 mm.

Eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatzes 11 wird nachstehend anhand der Figuren 5-7 beschrieben. Die Figur 5 zeigt eine Druntersicht dieser zweiten Ausführungsform. Die Figur 6 zeigt einen Querschnitt dieser Ausführungsform durch die Linie VI-VI in Figur 5. Die Figur 7 zeigt eine Draufsicht dieser Ausführungsform.A second embodiment of a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of this second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a cross section of this embodiment through the line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows a plan view of this embodiment.

Die zweite Ausführungsform gemäss den Figuren 5-7 ist weitgehend mit der Ausführungsform gemäss den Figuren 2-4 identisch, so dass die obige Beschreibung der Figuren 2-4 weitgehend auch für die Figuren 5-7 gilt.The second embodiment according to FIGS. 5-7 is largely identical to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4, so that the above description of FIGS. 2-4 also largely applies to FIGS. 5-7.

Die zweite Ausführungsform gemäss den Figuren 5-7 unterscheidet sich von der Ausführungsform gemäss Figuren 2-4 lediglich durch folgende Merkmale:

  • Bei der zweiten Ausführungsform erstrecken sich die Verbindungskanäle 25,26,27 lediglich über die ganze Länge des mittleren Teils 16 des Pipettiereinsatzes. Diese Kanäle sind daher etwas kürzer als in der ersten Ausführungsform gemäss Figuren 2-4.
  • Bei der zweiten Ausführungsform hat die Aussenwand des kegelförmigen Teils 15 des Pipettiereinsatzes mindestens einen flügelförmigen Vorsprung 32, der sich in Richtung der Längsachse Z-Z des Körpers erstreckt und ein der Spitze 17 zugewandtes Ende 35 hat. Dieses Ende liegt der Spitze 17 näher als das obere Ende 36 des mindestens einen Verbindungskanal 25, welches obere Ende 36 dem kegelförmigen Teil 15 benachbart ist oder an der Grenze zwischen dem mittleren Teil 16 und dem kegelförmigen Teil 15 liegt.
The second embodiment according to FIGS. 5-7 differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4 only by the following features:
  • In the second embodiment, the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 only extend over the entire length of the central part 16 of the pipetting insert. These channels are therefore somewhat shorter than in the first embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4.
  • In the second embodiment, the outer wall of the conical part 15 of the pipetting insert has at least one wing-shaped projection 32, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis ZZ of the body and has an end 35 facing the tip 17. This end is closer to the tip 17 than the upper end 36 of the at least one connecting channel 25, which upper end 36 is adjacent to the conical part 15 or lies on the boundary between the central part 16 and the conical part 15.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform hat die Aussenwand 31 des kegelförmigen Teils 15 mindestens zwei der soeben beschriebenen Vorsprünge. Wie aus der Figur 5 ersichtlich, hat die Aussenwand 31 des kegelförmigen Teils 15 drei flügelförmige Vorsprünge 32,33,34, die um die Längsachse Z-Z des Pipettiereinsatzes symmetrisch angeordnet sind.In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall 31 of the conical part 15 has at least two of the projections just described. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the outer wall 31 of the conical part 15 has three wing-shaped projections 32, 33, 34, which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis Z-Z of the pipetting insert.

Durch die relative Lage der Vorsprünge 32-34 und der Verbindungskanäle 25-27 wird sichergestellt, dass der beabsichtigte Druckausgleichvorgang durch die Verbindungskanäle 25-27 stattfinden kann.The relative position of the projections 32-34 and the connecting channels 25-27 ensures that the intended pressure equalization process can take place through the connecting channels 25-27.

Eine typische Verwendung des erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatzes 11 wird nun anhand der Figuren 1 und 8-11 beschrieben. Die Figuren 8-11 zeigen unter anderem einen Pipettiereinsatz gemäss den Figuren 5-7, die nachstehende Beschreibung gilt jedoch ebenfalls für die Ausführungsform des Pipettiereinsatzes gemäss der Figuren 2-4.A typical use of the pipetting insert 11 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8-11. FIGS. 8-11 show, among other things, a pipetting insert according to FIGS. 5-7, but the description below also applies to the embodiment of the pipetting insert according to FIGS. 2-4.

Zur Entnahme einer bestimmten Menge einer Probe 12, die sich in einem Vakuumröhrchen 13 befindet, ist gemäss der in Figur 1 schematisch gezeigten Anordnung vorgesehen, einen erfindungsgemässen Pipettiereinsatz 11 und eine Pipettiernadel 19 einer Pipettiervorrichtung zu verwenden.In order to take a certain amount of a sample 12, which is located in a vacuum tube 13, it is provided according to the arrangement shown schematically in FIG. 1 to use a pipetting insert 11 according to the invention and a pipetting needle 19 of a pipetting device.

Wie in den Figuren 8 und 9 dargestellt, wird in einem Vorbereitungsschritt für die spätere Probeentnahme ein Pipettiereinsatz 11 mittels einer geeigneten Vorrichtung durch den Stöpsel 14 des Vakuumröhrchens 13 eingeführt. Hierfür wird zuerst gemäss Figur 8 ein Druckdorn 41 in die Bohrung 21 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 eingeführt. Wie aus Figur 8 ersichtlich, ist die Form des Druckdorns 41 vorzugsweise sehr genau an der Innenwand des oberen, kegelförmigen Teils des Pipettiereinsatzes 11, an der Innenwand der Bohrung und an der hohlen Spitze im Innenraum des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 angepasst. Vor der Einführung des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 durch den Stöpsel 14 des Vakuunmröhrchens 13 wird der Druckdorn 41 in den Pipettiereinsatz eingeführt, bis er dort die in Figur 8 gezeigten Stellung einnimmt.As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a pipetting insert 11 is inserted through the stopper 14 of the vacuum tube 13 in a preparation step for the later sampling. For this purpose, a pressure mandrel 41 is first inserted into the bore 21 of the pipetting insert 11 according to FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the shape of the pressure mandrel 41 is preferably very precisely adapted to the inner wall of the upper, conical part of the pipetting insert 11, to the inner wall of the bore and to the hollow tip in the interior of the pipetting insert 11. Before the insertion of the pipetting insert 11 through the stopper 14 of the vacuum tube 13, the pressure mandrel 41 is inserted into the pipetting insert until it assumes the position shown in FIG. 8.

Zur Einführung des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 in den Stöpsel 14 wird der Pipettiereinsatz 11 vom Druckdorn 41 in der durch einen Pfeil angedeuteten Richtung gegen den mittleren Teil des Stöpsels 14 gedrückt, bis der Pipettiereinsatz 11 den Stöpsel 14 durchsticht und die in Figur 9 gezeigten Stellung einnimmt. Es ist aus der Figur 9 ersichtlich, dass der Vorsprung 32 (und dies gilt auch für die in Figur 9 nicht gezeigten Vorsprünge 33,34) als Abstandshalter dient, durch den sichergestellt ist. dass der mindestens eine Verbindungskanal 25 den Innenraum des Vakuumröhrchens 13 mit der Luft ausserhalb des Röhrchens verbindet und somit einen Druckausgleich ermöglicht.To insert the pipetting insert 11 into the stopper 14, the pipetting insert 11 is pressed by the pressure mandrel 41 in the direction indicated by an arrow against the central part of the stopper 14 until the pipetting insert 11 pierces the stopper 14 and assumes the position shown in FIG. 9. It can be seen from FIG. 9 that the projection 32 (and this also applies to the projections 33, 34 not shown in FIG. 9) serves as a spacer, which ensures. that the at least one connecting channel 25 connects the interior of the vacuum tube 13 with the air outside the tube and thus enables pressure equalization.

Nach der Einführung des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 in den Stöpsel 14 in der soeben beschriebenen Form verbleibt der Pipettiereinsatz 11 im Stöpsel 14 in der in Figur 10 gezeigten Stellung. Es ist dabei zu beachten. dass die kegelförmige Wand 18 der Spitze 17 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 nach seiner Einführung in den Stöpsel 14 noch intakt ist und ein Entweichen der Probe aus dem Vakuumröhrchen 13 durch die Bohrung 21 verhindert.After the introduction of the pipetting insert 11 into the stopper 14 in the form just described, the pipetting insert 11 remains in the stopper 14 in the position shown in FIG. It should be noted. that the conical wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert 11 is still intact after its insertion into the stopper 14 and prevents the sample from escaping from the vacuum tube 13 through the bore 21.

Vakuumröhrchen 13 die Proben enthalten und die mit einem Pipettiereinsatz 11 in der in Figur 10 gezeigten Stellung versehen sind, sind geschlossene Behälter. Mit solchen Vakuumröhrchen können daher die verschiedensten Verfahrensschritte, wie z.B. Zentrifugierung oder ein Schütteln der Vakuumröhrchen, durchgeführt werden, ohne ein Entweichen von Probenfragmenten aus den Vakuumröhrchen befürchten zu müssen.Vacuum tubes 13, which contain samples and which are provided with a pipetting insert 11 in the position shown in FIG. 10, are closed containers. With such vacuum tubes, the most varied of process steps, e.g. Centrifugation or shaking of the vacuum tubes can be carried out without fear of sample fragments escaping from the vacuum tubes.

Wie in Figur 11 schematisch dargestellt, wird zur Entnahme einer bestimmten Menge der Probe 12 im Vakuumröhrchen 13 eine Pipettiernadel 19 durch die Bohrung 21 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 in der mit einem Pfeil angedeuteten Richtung eingeführt, bis sie die in Figur 11 gezeigten Stellung einnimmt. Bei dieser Einführung wird die Wand 18 der Spitze 17 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 durch die Nadel 19 durchgestochen. Nach der Entnahme der Probe wird die Nadel 19 aus dem Vakuumröhrchen 13 bzw. aus dem Pipettiereinsatz 11 herausgenommen. Durch den Stich verbleibt in der Wand 18 einen sehr kleinen Schlitz, so dass bei einer normalen Behandlung der Vakuumröhrchen ein unerwünschtes Entweichen von Probenfragmenten aus dem Vakuumröhrchen sehr unwahrscheinlich ist.As shown schematically in FIG. 11, in order to take a certain amount of the sample 12 in the vacuum tube 13, a pipetting needle 19 is inserted through the bore 21 of the pipetting insert 11 in the direction indicated by an arrow until it assumes the position shown in FIG. 11. In this introduction, the wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert 11 is pierced by the needle 19. After taking the sample, the needle 19 is removed from the vacuum tube 13 or from the pipetting insert 11. The puncture leaves a very small slit in the wall 18, so that an undesired escape of sample fragments from the vacuum tube is very unlikely during normal treatment of the vacuum tube.

Fig. 12 zeigt einen Querschnitt einer Variante der Ausführungsform gemäss Figuren 2-4. In dieser Variante erstrecken sich die Verbindungskanäle 25, 26, 27 bis zum obersten Rand des kegelförmigen Teils 15 des Pipettiereinsatzes.12 shows a cross section of a variant of the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4. In this variant, the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 extend to the uppermost edge of the conical part 15 of the pipetting insert.

Die Abmessungen in der Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 12 sind in den Figuren 13 und 14 in Millimeter angegeben. Die Fig. 13 zeigt einen Querschnitt entlang der Längsachse des Pipettiereinsatzes. Die Fig. 14 zeigt den Querschnitt XIV-XIV der Fig. 13.The dimensions in the embodiment according to FIG. 12 are given in millimeters in FIGS. 13 and 14. 13 shows a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the pipetting insert. FIG. 14 shows the cross section XIV-XIV of FIG. 13.

Die in den Figuren 13 und 14 angegebenen Abmessungen gelten weitgehend auch für die Ausführungsformen gemäss Figuren 2-4 und 5-7.The dimensions indicated in FIGS. 13 and 14 also largely apply to the embodiments according to FIGS. 2-4 and 5-7.

Im Rahmen der Erfindung sollten einige Abmessungen des Pipettiereinsatzes in den nachstehend angegebenen Bereichen liegen:Within the scope of the invention, some dimensions of the pipetting insert should be in the ranges specified below:

Die Dicke der Wand 24 des mittleren Teils 16 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 sollte vorzugsweise in einem Bereich zwischen ca. 0,3 mm und ca. 1,0 mm liegen.The thickness of the wall 24 of the central part 16 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 0.3 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.

Die Dicke des dünnsten Teils der Wand 18 der Spitze 17 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 sollte vorzugsweise in einem Bereich zwischen ca. 0,1 mm und ca. 0,3 mm liegen.The thickness of the thinnest part of the wall 18 of the tip 17 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.3 mm.

Der mittlere Durchmesser der Bohrung 21 im mittleren Teil 16 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 sollte vorzugsweise in einem Bereich zwischen ca. 1,5 mm und ca. 4,0 mm liegen.The average diameter of the bore 21 in the central part 16 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 1.5 mm and approximately 4.0 mm.

Der Durchmesser von jedem der Verbindungskanäle 25, 26, 27 entlang der Aussenwand 24 des Pipettiereinsatzes 11 sollte vorzugsweise in einem Bereich zwischen ca. 0,1 mm und ca. 0,5 mm liegen.The diameter of each of the connecting channels 25, 26, 27 along the outer wall 24 of the pipetting insert 11 should preferably be in a range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.5 mm.

Claims (9)

  1. A pipetting insert (11) for a pipetting device for removing a liquid specimen (12) from a vacutainer (13) closed in airtight manner by a plug (14), the insert (11) being made of plastics and having an elongate body having a conical part (15) at one end and a hollow tip (17) at the other end and between them a central tubular part (16), the same being formed along its longitudinal axis (Z-Z) with a bore (21) connecting the interior (22) of the conical part (15) to the interior (23) of the hollow tip (27),
    characterized in that
    (a) the hollow tip is in the form of a wall (18) pierceable by a pipetting needle, and
    b) the outer wall (24) of the central part (16) of the body has at least one connecting duct (24) which extends between the conical part (15) and the tip (17) and which has a smaller cross-section than the bore (21) of the central part (16) of the body.
  2. A pipetting insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer wall (31) of the conical part (15) has at least one projection (32) which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the body and has an end (35) facing the tip (17), the end (35) being nearer such tip than is the top end (36) of the at least one connecting duct (25), the top end (36) being adjacent the conical part (15).
  3. A pipetting insert according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a least two connecting ducts (25, 26, 27) disposed symmetrically around the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the body.
  4. A pipetting insert according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the at least one connection duct (25) is a groove in the outer wall (24) of the central part (16) of the body, the groove extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the body.
  5. A pipetting insert according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer wall (31) of the conical part (15) has at least two projections (32, 33, 34) arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the body.
  6. A pipetting insert according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the wall (24) of the central part (16) of the pipetting insert (11) is in a range between 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm.
  7. A pipetting insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the thinnest part of the wall (18) of the tip (17) is in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.
  8. A pipetting insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the average diameter of the bore (21) in the central part (16) is in a range between 1.5 mm and 4.0 mm.
  9. A pipetting insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter of each of the connecting ducts (25-27) along the insert outer wall (24) is in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.
EP90109791A 1989-06-01 1990-05-23 Insert for a pipette Expired - Lifetime EP0400468B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH205289 1989-06-01
CH2052/89 1989-06-01

Publications (2)

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EP0400468A1 EP0400468A1 (en) 1990-12-05
EP0400468B1 true EP0400468B1 (en) 1993-12-22

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US (1) US5081872A (en)
EP (1) EP0400468B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH03165843A (en)
CN (1) CN1019552B (en)
AT (1) ATE98906T1 (en)
AU (1) AU604619B1 (en)
BR (1) BR9002594A (en)
CA (1) CA2017111C (en)
DE (2) DE9005788U1 (en)
DK (1) DK0400468T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2047755T3 (en)
FI (1) FI902732A0 (en)
NO (1) NO178754C (en)
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI902732A0 (en) 1990-06-01
JPH0457379B2 (en) 1992-09-11
DE59003935D1 (en) 1994-02-03
NO178754B (en) 1996-02-19
CN1047634A (en) 1990-12-12
ES2047755T3 (en) 1994-03-01
CA2017111A1 (en) 1990-12-01
CA2017111C (en) 1995-10-31
DE9005788U1 (en) 1990-07-26
NO178754C (en) 1996-05-29
US5081872A (en) 1992-01-21
BR9002594A (en) 1991-08-20
NO902426L (en) 1990-12-03
NO902426D0 (en) 1990-05-31
EP0400468A1 (en) 1990-12-05
NZ233818A (en) 1993-05-26
CN1019552B (en) 1992-12-23
JPH03165843A (en) 1991-07-17
DK0400468T3 (en) 1994-03-21
ATE98906T1 (en) 1994-01-15
AU604619B1 (en) 1990-12-20

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